On a brisk Friday afternoon in Washington, President Donald Trump welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the White House for their third meeting this year—a pivotal encounter that unfolded against a backdrop of escalating conflict, diplomatic maneuvering, and high-stakes negotiations aimed at ending the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Zelenskyy arrived in the U.S. capital with a clear objective: to secure Tomahawk cruise missiles from Washington, a request that had become increasingly urgent as Russian attacks intensified and Ukraine sought new means to strike back at Moscow's energy infrastructure. However, as reported by multiple outlets including The Center Square and BBC, the Ukrainian leader appeared to leave empty-handed, with President Trump expressing deep reservations about escalating the conflict and depleting U.S. stockpiles.
"The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts," Trump posted on Truth Social Friday evening. He continued, "They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!"
Trump’s doctrine, which some commentators have dubbed "Stop Where They Are," calls for a ceasefire along current battle lines—a pragmatic if controversial approach that prioritizes lives over shifting frontiers. He urged both sides to halt hostilities, warning, "no more Death, no more vas and unsustainable sums of money spent." This plea was echoed in the media, with Trump stating the meeting had been "very good, a very cordial meeting," but underscoring the urgency for both Ukraine and Russia to cease fighting along the front as it stands to avoid further complications.
The conversation between the two leaders was not merely ceremonial. According to BBC and The Center Square, Zelenskyy proposed an innovative deal: Ukraine would provide "thousands of drones" to the U.S. in exchange for Tomahawk missiles. While Trump appeared open to the concept—acknowledging the effectiveness of Ukrainian drones and the potential for such a trade—he remained hesitant to part with American Tomahawks, citing the need to preserve U.S. resources and maintain leverage at the negotiating table. "You never know when you’re going to need them," he remarked, reflecting a strategic calculus that has become a hallmark of his foreign policy.
This reluctance, however, may itself be a bargaining chip. As BBC noted, the very threat of U.S. Tomahawks in Ukrainian hands appears to be drawing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. Just a day prior to the Zelenskyy meeting, Trump had a "lengthy" and "productive" conversation with Putin, during which the two agreed to meet in Hungary in the coming weeks—an encounter that would mark Putin’s first known trip to an EU country since his invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
The logistics of Putin’s travel have become a subject of speculation, as Hungary’s recent withdrawal from the International Criminal Court means the Russian leader would not face arrest despite an outstanding warrant. Military analysts, as cited by BBC, suggest Putin may exploit technicalities to avoid NATO airspace en route to Budapest. The Kremlin, for its part, has kept details of the journey under wraps, adding to the intrigue surrounding the upcoming summit.
Trump has made it clear that this high-profile meeting is contingent on progress in ongoing Washington-Moscow talks. He has set the expectation that any sitdown with Putin must yield "major concessions, ones that Russia can’t walk back without punishing consequences," as reported by New York Post. The president is also leveraging economic pressure, warning that if the Budapest talks do not result in an immediate ceasefire, the U.S. will impose secondary sanctions—potentially targeting countries like China if they continue to support Russia.
Trump’s approach to the Ukraine crisis is informed by his recent diplomatic successes. Since returning to the White House, he has brokered a ceasefire in Gaza and mediated peace between India and Pakistan, demonstrating, in his view, that unconventional tactics can yield results where traditional diplomacy has failed. As an op-ed in The Wall Street Journal put it, "His Gaza achievement serves as a model, with President Zelenskyy himself expressing hope that momentum in the Middle East peace process would help end his country’s war with Russia."
Yet, Trump’s strategy is not without its critics and risks. Some fear that halting the war along current lines would reward Russian aggression, while others worry that withholding advanced weaponry could leave Ukraine vulnerable. Still, Trump remains confident in his "mediator president" role, telling the media, "I am the mediator president," and expressing optimism that a deal is within reach. He acknowledged, however, that "there is a lot of bad blood between the two leaders," and that the path to peace may be more complicated than initially anticipated.
For Zelenskyy, the stakes are existential. With Russian missile and drone assaults on Ukrainian civilians escalating since August, and Kyiv responding by targeting Moscow’s vital energy assets (with U.S. intelligence support), the need for advanced weaponry is acute. As New York Post observed, Tomahawk and potentially Barracuda cruise missiles could enable Ukraine to devastate Putin’s oil and gas facilities—striking at the heart of Russia’s war financing. Yet, for now, such weapons remain out of reach, at least directly from U.S. stockpiles.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic dance continues. Trump has acknowledged the possibility that Putin is "stringing him along," but maintains, "I think that he wants to make a deal." The Kremlin’s recent outreach to arrange talks and its lobbying against missile transfers to Kyiv suggest that pressure is mounting on Moscow as well.
As the world watches, the coming weeks could prove decisive. The Budapest summit looms, with Ukraine’s future, Russia’s ambitions, and the credibility of U.S. diplomacy all hanging in the balance. Trump’s willingness to try a different path—favoring direct talks, strategic restraint, and the threat of economic pain—has upended expectations. Whether this approach delivers the peace Ukraine so desperately seeks remains to be seen, but for now, the stage is set for a momentous test of unconventional statecraft.
For both Ukraine and Russia, and for a world weary of war, the hope is that bold negotiation—however improbable—can finally bring the guns to silence and the diplomats to the fore.